Project Name

A Connected Ride: The "Big Three" Loop 

The paved path that links Lakeland to Wallace Park (roughly 2.2 miles) and Big Creek Park (another 1.2 miles) means you can effectively tour the best of Canton’s green spaces without ever loading the bikes back onto the rack. As you cruise from Lakeland to Big Creek, you pass through the "Big Creek Bottoms." Keep an eye out for the new 2025 bridge it stands on the site of the original 1925 bridge and is a perfect spot to pull over for a quick photo of the creek.

Fishing: The "Free" Advantage

One of the best updates for 2025 is that fishing at Lakeland Park is now free of charge for all visitors (though you still need your standard Illinois Fishing License). With five lakes; Fitch, Bond, Veteran, Strode, and McCamey, you have a massive amount of shoreline to cover. Stopping at the wooden bridge to spot the lunkers is a park tradition. Because the lakes are well-managed and full of structures, you’ll often see massive Channel Catfish or even the elusive Tiger Muskie (the "fish of ten thousand casts") lurking in the shadows of the bridge or the fishing piers. Now it seems there is mostly Carp that have taken over the feeding grounds of the bridge. 

Perfect for a Pitstop

The park’s layout makes it incredibly family-friendly, the playgrounds are in the process of being updated, and we cant wait to check them out in 2026. Lakeside pavilions like the Nagel Pavilion are prime real estate for a picnic. There’s nothing quite like eating lunch while watching the sun glint off the water. Because it’s a former mining site turned prairie, it’s a haven for waterfowl. If you have time, check out the Educational Waterfowl Blind; it’s a hidden gem for birdwatching. Lakeland Park is proof that you don't have to travel far to find a world-class outdoor experience. Whether you're chasing a state-record bass or just enjoying the breeze on your e-bikes, it’s a place that makes you feel right at home.